Viktor Fischer RSS feedhttp://www.fourfourtwo.com/viktor-fischer
enFischer out for six weeks with hamstring tearAjax have been dealt a blow with the news that attacker Viktor Fischer will miss the next six weeks with a torn hamstring.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/fischer-out-six-weeks-hamstring-tear
The Danish forward has been a regular this season under head coach Frank de Boer but, after limping out of Sunday's 4-0 win over AZ, tests have confirmed a tear in his muscle.
Fischer has made 35 appearances for Ajax in competitions this season, scoring seven goals, but he is now set to miss a large part of the remainder of the campaign.
"On Sunday in the match against AZ, Viktor Fischer sustained a tear in his left hamstring," a statement on the club's website read.
"The Danish forward has been ruled out for at least six weeks.
"In a few weeks he will have another test to see how the hamstring is recovering."
Fischer joins a growing injury list at the Amsterdam Arena, and the club do not expect Lasse Schone, Thulani Serero or Nicolai Boilesen to be available in the near future.
The statement continued: "Lasse Schone has a torn ankle ligament. He is recovering well, but will not travel to Salzburg (in the UEFA Europa League on Thursday), and the match against Feyenoord (on Sunday) will probably come too early.
"Thulani Serero flies to Salzburg but is not in the squad. The South African has been struggling with a groin injury and will continue his rehabilitation.
"Finally Nicolai Boilesen has a left hamstring injury and is therefore not available in the upcoming weeks."
Ajax are six points clear at the top of the Eredivisie, and will look to turn around a three-goal deficit in their Europa League last 32 clash with Salzburg on Thursday.
news_articleMon, 24 Feb 2014 19:20:04 +0000Anonymous128349 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comFive Eredivisie stars who could light up the Premier LeagueElko Born takes a look at the Eredivisie top talents that could soon be destined for the Premier League...Elko Bornhttp://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/five-eredivisie-stars-who-could-light-premier-league
Viktor Fischer
Who is he?
Danish wonderkid Viktor Fischer (pictured above) plays as an inverted left-winger for Ajax. Cutting inside whenever his friend and fellow Dane Nicolai Boilesen finds the overlap, he’s one of the Amsterdammers’ main goalscoring threats. His lethal right foot even earned him the nickname ‘Danish Dynamite’.
Why you need to know him
Even before Fischer signed for Ajax at the age of 15, he was on every scout’s radar and, to this day, an ever-growing stream of rumours is constantly linking him to some of Europe’s biggest clubs. Only 19 years old, he’s already been capped six times. Fischer simply seems destined for greatness.
Who does he remind you of?
Fischer is not the first Dane to make an impression at Ajax. Players like Michael Laudrup and more recently Christian Eriksen all went before him. But the most obvious comparison can be made with fellow left-winger Jesper Grønkjær, who spent two years at the Amsterdam outfit before joining Chelsea in 2000.
Would be perfect for
Manchester United, Arsenal.
AlfreðFinnbogason
Who is he?
Twenty-four-year-old AlfreðFinnbogason plays as a striker for Heerenveen. Recent rumours have strongly linked him to Cardiff City, whose new manager Ole Gunnar Solskjær acquired the services of Finnbogason’s former Heerenveen team-mate MagnusWolff Eikrem earlier this month.
Why you need to know him
Last year he had Wilfred Bony to compete with, but this year it’s Finnbogason who is the Eredivisie’s most productive striker. So far, the Icelander has scored 17 goals in 15 matches, earning him the constant praise of his manager, former AC Milan star Marco van Basten. With half of the season still to come, this could prove to be a record-breaking year for the Icelander.
Who does he remind you of?
Heerenveen has traditionally been the home of some of the Eredivisie’s most lethal strikers, among whom include none other than Ruud van Nistelrooy. Indeed, Finnbogason’s style of play is similar to that of the former Manchester United top scorer, who famously bagged goal after goal from various positions inside the penalty area.
Would be perfect for
Cardiff City, Swansea City.
Dušan Tadić
Who is he?
Versatile winger and attacking midfielder Dušan Tadić is the main creative hub of FC Twente, who brought him in from FC Groningen for a whopping £5 million in 2012 – a club record. He’s usually deployed on the right flank, but he’s also more than capable of playing on the left, as well as the centre of the pitch. Recent rumours have linked him to Everton and Borussia Dortmund, but interested parties should keep in mind that the Serbian has publicly stated he’ll only leave FC Twente for his "dream club".
Why you need to know him
His ability to take on defenders before delivering a pinpoint cross makes Tadić one of the best wingers in the Eredivisie. Gifted, with unparalleled technical abilities, the Serbian has become something of an assist king. In 2012/13, 15 of his crosses were turned into goals, the only players to provide more being Christian Eriksen and Dries Mertens, both of whom moved on to bigger leagues last summer (Tottenham Hotspur and Napoli respectively).
Who does he remind you of?
Tadić combines the refined passing capabilities of Wesley Sneijder with the bravery and dribbling skills of his fellow former Groningen player, Arjen Robben, and much like the aforementioned in their final seasons in Holland, it looks like Tadić has simply outgrown the Eredivisie.
Would be perfect for
Everton, Newcastle United, Tottenham Hotspur.
Lucas Piazon
Who is he?
Lucas Piazon signed for Chelsea in 2011. In 2013, he joined Vitesse on loan, and made an immediate impact on the Eredivisie. Usually he’s either deployed in a playmaking role on the midfield, or on the left flank, where his excellent right foot serves him well when cutting inside.
Why you need to know him
So far in 2013/14, he’s scored 11 goals and made eight assists, arguably becoming one of the Eredivisie’s most valuable players. Silencing any critics of the connection between Chelsea and Vitesse along the way, he’s boosted Vitesse to the status of genuine title contenders.
Who does he remind you of?
His nickname is ‘the new Kaká’, but Chelsea’s young Brazilian has also been likened to former Eredivisie playmakers Rafael van der Vaart and Sneijder. Expect Piazon to reach the same level.
Would be perfect for
Chelsea, or should they be willing to let him go, whoever can snap him up first.
Davy Klaassen
Who is he?
Davy Klaassen is one of the latest prodigies to graduate from Ajax’s world famous academy. His technical abilities are beyond any doubt, and while he’s only 20 years of age, he’s already showing great strength and mental resilience, having been sidelined by a nagging groin injury for more than eight months after scoring a goal in his 2011 debut match. It wasn’t until Johan Cruyff, these days active as advisor to Ajax, called in the help of his personal contacts at Barcelona’s physio department that he was able to return to full fitness.
Why you need to know him
When Eriksen left Amsterdam for Spurs, fans and pundits alike wondered who would step up to become Ajax’s new midfield general. After only a handful of matches, all debate was silenced. Klaassen grabbed his chance with both hands and never let go. With his pivotal role in Ajax 2-1 defeat of Barcelona in November 2013 boosting his confidence even further, Klaassen quickly established himself as one of Ajax’s most important players.
Who does he remind you of?
He’s already been dubbed the new Bergkamp, and indeed, the similarities seem endless. First, there’s the positions Klaassen likes to play. Much like the Arsenal legend before him, Klaassen is able to play as an attacking midfielder, as well as a striker. Then there’s the elegant first touch. When receiving the ball, Klaassen is able to flick past defenders with the grace of an artist, just like his role model. Coincidence or not: as assistant to Ajax manager Frank de Boer, Bergkamp is on the training pitch with Klaassen almost every day.
Would be perfect for
Arsenal, Manchester United.
featureMon, 13 Jan 2014 12:08:02 +0000Jon Fadugba110414 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comFive Eredivisie youngsters who you need to know about Tim Simon on the gems from Holland coming to a club near you...Tim Simonhttp://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/five-eredivisie-youngsters-who-you-need-know-about
From Van Nistelrooy and Van Persie to Helder and Afonso Alves, the Eredivisie has long been a hotbed for the exportation of young footballers. For so long Dutch club football was at the pinnacle of the game, with Ajax, Feyenoord and PSV Eindhoven leading the way as former European Cup winners.
In recent years, however, their inability to keep up with the financial muscle of rival European leagues has forced Eredivisie outfits into selling their most talented youngsters just before they hit their peak.
This summer saw Ajax pair Christian Eriksen and Toby Alderweireld join Tottenham and Atletico Madrid respectively, while PSV Eindhoven duo Dries Mertens and Kevin Strootman hot-footed it to Napoli and Roma in Serie A. It isn't the end, of course - the European sharks are forever circling - so without further ado, here's five Eredivisie starlets who probably won't be sticking around in Holland for much longer...
Viktor Fischer
Following in the footsteps of Danish compatriot Eriksen, Fischer joined Ajax from FC Midtjylland in 2012 and quickly decided that a stretch in Amsterdam to hone his talents was preferable to thrusting himself in the direction of a substitute’s bench elsewhere in Europe. The Dane is an inverted left winger with a fine goalscoring record at youth level - indeed, he was the joint-top goalscorer at the 2010/11 NextGen Series with seven goals as Ajax won the competition on penalties. Liverpool fans might remember him: he bagged a hat-trick against their kids in the semi-finals.
Fischer is perfectly suited to Ajax’s famous 4-3-3 formation, in which he is given licence to roam and find pockets of space. This season he has proved a more effective creator after a slow start in front of goal - the young Dane has made 16 key passes, half of them after cutting inside before threading neat balls through the defence.
Would suit: Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United.
Zakaria Bakkali
Bakkali hit the headlinesagainst NEC Nijmegen earlier this season - as the youngest player ever to notch an Eredivisie hat-trick. But despite those being his only goals for the campaign, the 17-year-old has proven himself as a real talent to watch. The firecracker winger is comfortable on either flank or up front. Two-footed and pacey, the precocious teenager has already won his first cap for Belgium, has outstanding close control and loves a shot from distance. Only two of his attempts on goal this season have missed the target.
However, Bakkali’s standout attribute is his dribbling. He regularly induces challenges before quickly sweeping the ball away from oncoming defenders - and here's the proof: he's already won 24 of his attempted take-ons this year with a 71% success rate.
Would suit: Manchester United, Manchester City.
Luc Castaignos
A product of the Feyenoord academy, Castaignos made his big move to Inter Milan at the age of 19, but it proved far too early for him to make his mark in Serie A. In his teenage years, Castaignos was expected to become a superstar but this move to the San Siro only stifled his development. Now at FC Twente without the weight of expectation on his shoulders, the Dutch U21 international has the freedom to express himself once again.
Castaignos likes to shoot on sight, and has already attempted 49 efforts on goal in his 12 appearances this term. Standing at 6ft 2in, the striker is a dominant presence at the sharp end of Twente’s attack, but he's also surprisingly quick for a big man, making opposition centre-halves extra wary. Strong with his back to goal too, the 21-year-old is also expert at bringing others into play. He's made 10 key passes this season with two of them resulting in goals.
Would suit: Arsenal, Tottenham.
Memphis Depay
PSV manager Philip Cocu certainly isn't short of youthful wide options right now. On the opposite flank to Bakkali is Dutchman Memphis Depay, a raw talent with an eye for goal from range but equally capable of using his pace to get to the byline and provide for team-mates. The unpredictable 19-year-old is typical of a modern inverted wide man, and has quickly established himself as a nightmare for full-backs since breaking through in 2011.
Depay's free-kick style has been likened to that of Cristiano Ronaldo, and it is clearly a technique he practices regularly. The winger has been integral to Cocu’s side this season, creating a staggering 31 chances and attempting 46 shots on goal in just 12 appearances. Capable of the spectacular, he's certainly a star of the future - just ask Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal, who recognised the youngster's abilities at international level with a first senior Dutch cap in October.
Would suit: Atletico Madrid, Borussia Dortmund.
Jordy Clasie
Feyenoord’s crowning jewel, Clasie was once likened to Barcelona star Xavi for his ability to control a match. The 22-year-old has been in the Feyenoord first team for just over three years now and, like fellow Dutch midfield youngster Adam Maher, has made a huge name for himself in Holland. He's already got six caps for his country, for starters. The midfield linchpin has all the experience and ability to make any move to the continent a success.
In terms of playing style, Clasie is a conductor. He makes this Feyenoord side tick and rarely gives the ball away - but doesn't just pass sideways. The diminutive metronome is capable of spraying lengthy passes, keeping the game simple, or executing the killer balls that really matter. Of his 538 completed passes this season,66.4% have gone forwards and, unsurprisingly, he already has four assists to his name. His passing isn't all he has, though - Clasie is capable of getting stuck in too, winning a hugely impressive 74% of his 36 attempted tackles this campaign.
Would suit: Fiorentina, Liverpool.
featureFri, 15 Nov 2013 07:55:00 +0000Joe Brewin83856 at http://www.fourfourtwo.com